Leave Room for the Holy Spirit

Submitter: While some of the info may still be useful, like the difference between true love and infatuation, many of its assertions are probably too old fashioned for Canadian teens today. The book asserts that Satan loves to mess up the lives of young Christians by marrying them to the wrong people. He makes Christians sexually attracted to non-Christians, causing them to go on dates, but of course a Christian can never be happily married to a non-Christian as it is against God’s will. The book is also very big on the “just say no” idea and how sex is only for marriage. There are lots of passages about how if a girl loses her virginity before marriage, she will end up unhappy, ashamed, and will ultimately marry the wrong person. As such, the book offers tips on how to keep oneself pure. Aside from the obviously dated cover, I think this book is long past the point of usefulness, as society’s views on women, marriage, and sex have changed considerably. I can’t see the teens in my community finding this book particularly relevant or useful for anything other than a good laugh. Looking through it, this book even seems dated for 1987… On a side note, it was a bit of a surprise to find a book on love and marriage written in 1987 in our teen collection, especially since our teen collection was only established in 2007. I did not work here back then, but I can’t imagine how this book made it past several departments to be transferred from one collection to another.

Holly: There will always be an audience for books with this message in public libraries, but Christians want up-to-date books too! Even if the doctrine hasn’t changed, the books in your community library should reflect…well, your community. 1987 was a lovely year for Christianity, I’m sure, but 2016 is not bad either. This particular copy looks like it could use some Goo-Gone to the cover, too. It’s all sticky.

1987, or 1897? I don’t think there was ever a place in a public library for a book like this. Poor non-virgins; they were condemned to a life of misery, and probably an eternity in hell as well. The only place for this might be in the library of a totally repressive church somewhere.

Given my experience with books like this, I’m sure the authors will reassure the non-virgins that there is hope for them(by becoming a “born-again virgin” and recommitting themselves to abstinence until marriage).

“Satan loves to mess up the lives of young Christians by marrying them to the wrong people. He makes Christians sexually attracted to non-Christians, causing them to go on dates” I just KNEW I had supernatural help when courting the lady who is now married to me but I never suspected it was the Dark One himself taking time out of his busy schedule to help little old agnostic me win the woman of my dreams! I thought he only did things like that if you met him at a crossroads and signed over your soul. Thanks Beelezebub!